Cheers erupted from the Bulldogs fans as Luke slowly pulled himself up and skated over to the bench, his balance unsteady and with a pronounced limp. As he stepped off the ice, the Bulldogs’ trainers ran to his side and helped him into the dressing room. He would be out for the rest of the game due to the league’s concussion protocols. Maybe longer, depending on the injury his leg had sustained.

But would Chase take a penalty? Or worse? The hit itself was clean, technically speaking; he’d kept his elbow tucked, and there was no contact with Luke’s head. But there was no doubt he’d intended to run Luke down. It wasn’t even a little gray.

Shiv and I watched, waiting on pins and needles and frozen rear ends, as the officials conferred off to the side.

“Please don’t let it be a game misconduct,” I muttered, rubbing my frigid hands together, which was about as effective as rubbing two ice cubes together.

“I hope not,” said Shiv. “The Falcons need him in the game.”

The referee signaled, calling a two-minute minor against Chase for charging.

“Phew,” I said, the tension in my body easing. It was more than fair, considering he’d traveled a significant distance out of his way to make the hit.

Siobhan nodded. “Thank goodness.”

The Bulldogs bench broke into a second round of loud complaints, calling for a stiffer punishment. Chase shrugged and skated over to the penalty box, smirking the entire way. I had a feeling he would have gladly taken a lengthier penalty.

Unfortunately, there were fewer than twenty seconds left on the clock, which meant that the Bulldogs would start the third period on another power play while the Falcons were left shorthanded again.

I hoped that wouldn’t come back to haunt them.

30. not first

CHAPTER 30

NOT FIRST

Bailey

As the second intermission started, Siobhan and I made our way up the stairs, heading into the concourse to stretch our legs. And, hopefully, to regain feeling in our lower halves. Not only was the arena cold, but the seats were rock hard, and my butt had gone numb. We might as well have been sitting on the ice surface below.

She sighed. “Maybe the third will be better.”

“I hope so.” It was difficult to believe it would, but Chase decimating Luke could be good for the Falcons’ morale. Or Chase’s morale, at least. I pointed to the pink sign at the far end of the hallway. “I need to run to the bathroom.”

“Okay,” she said. “I’m going to hit the concession for a hot chocolate. I’ll turn into Elsa soon if I don’t get something to warm me up. Do you want one too?”